Elastic-type exercising device

ABSTRACT

An exercising apparatus has a single rubber cord, stirrup-shaped handles at the ends of the cord, and a barrel-shaped grip on the cord spaced from the handles in such a manner that the sections of the cord separated by the grip have a length ratio of approximately 5:8. It is particularly suitable for exercises performed in and under water.

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,885,473 11/1932 272/82 3,312,466 4/1967 Melchiona.................... 272/82 Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-William R. Browne Attorney-Keiman & Berman Willi Cronauer Bernhard Borslstr. 5, 8 Munich 19, Germany Appl. No, 852,163

[22] Filed Sept. 22, 1969 [45] Patented June 29, 19" May 20, 1969 Germany G 69 20 263.7

inventor United States Patent [32) Priority [54] ELASTIC-TYPE EXERCISING DEVICE ABSTRACT: An exercising apparatus has a single rubber cord, stirrup-shaped handles at the ends of the cord, and a barrel-shaped grip on the cord spaced from the handles in such a manner that the sections of the cord separated by the grip have a length ratio of approximately 5:8. It is particularly suitable for exercises performed in and under water.

e b m .m F u u E m m .m n 0 Huh 0 4 "a law M W d C S 8 Urmm m m 55B PATENT-ED JUN29 um SHEET 2 0F 3 PATENTED JUN29 1911 SHEET 3 OF 3 ELASTIC-TYPE EXERCISING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to exercising apparatus, and particularly to exercising apparatus which may be used underwater or in water repeatedly over an extended period.

Known exercisers have two handles which are connected by several releasably fastened steel springs. Muscle-strengthening exercises may be performed by gripping the handles and expanding the springs whose number may be selected to match the muscular strength of the user. The known exercisers, even when equipped with but one spring, are too stiff for many types of physiotherapy, particularly for exercises intended to improve breathing impaired by disease or accident. The known exerciser cannot usefully be employed by a person im mersed in water. Yet, exercises under such conditions are known to be beneficial under many conditions.

An object of the invention is the provision of exercising apparatus suitable for physiotherapy where spring expanders are too stiff and/or unsuited for use in moist surroundings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The exercising apparatus of the invention mainly consists of a single cord of resilient material, such as a rubber cord, two fastening devices which fasten the ends of the cord to the handles, and a gripping element fixedly fastened to an intermediate portion of the cord spaced from the longitudinal ends of the same.

The handles each essentially consist of an elongated strip member which extends in the approximate shape of a closed, trapezoidal loop about an opening, and the cord ends are fastened to the shorter base parts of the two loops respectively.

The gripping element has a barrel-shaped face, having an axis which extends in the direction of cord elongation, two radial, annular, substantially flat end faces extending about the cord, and said barrel-shaped face connects the end faces and is angularly ofi'set from the same. The cross section of the axial face increases axially from the end faces toward the axially central portion of the gripping element.

Other features, additional objects, and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will readily be appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following description of a preferred embodiment when considered in connection with the appended drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the drawing:

FIG. 1 shows a person exercising with two devices of the invention in front elevation;

FIG. 2 shows a person exercising with a single apparatus of the invention, in front elevation;

FIG. 3 shows exercising apparatus of the invention in plan view and partly in section on its longitudinal axis; and

FIG. 4 shows a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3 in a perspective view.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring initially to FIG. 3, there is seen an exercising apparatus of the invention consisting of two integrally connected sections 4,5 of a rubber cord of uniform, circular cross section 15, two identical handles 1,3 at the longitudinal ends of the cord, and a generally barrel-shaped grip 2 whose location separates the cord sections 4,5.

Each handle 1,3 is a flat, elongated strip of reinforced plastic bent into the approximate shape of an isosceles trapezoid. The loop so formed is open in the shorter base part of the trapezoid, but the opening is normally invisible, being covered by a fastening member 6 on the handle I, and a fastening member 7 on the handle 3. The two fastening members are identical, cup-shaped plastic moldings whose hemispherical bottom walls have respective central, outwardly flaring apertures l3, and whose rim portions 14 carryeach a radial flange 9. Two diametrically opposite slots 19 in the rim portion adjacent the flange of each fastening member 6,7 are connected by a groove 12 in the inner wall of the rim portion 14, and the free ends 10,1! of each handle 1,3 pass through respective slots 19 into the grooves 12 and abut against the flange 9.

The free end of each cord section 4,5 passes through the aperture 13 into the interior of the associated fastening member 6,7 and coaxially carries a generally cylindrical rubber sleeve 8 within the fastening member. The sleeve is vulcanized to the free end of the cord, and forms a transverse enlargement on the cord which prevents the cord from being pulled out of the fastening member through the aperture 13. For greater rigidity, each fastening member 6,7 has two axial outer ribs 18 which connect the flange 9 to the'sidewall of the cup, as is better seen in FIG. 4. The ribs 18 are diametrically opposite each other and offset from the slots 19. The lengths of the sleeve 8 and of the end of the cord section vulcanized thereto are such that the rim portion 14 partly projects beyond the sleeve and the cord end, the slots 19 being formed in the projecting rim portion.

The longer base part of the trapezoid formed by each of the handles [,3 extends in a flat, longitudinal arc whose radius of curvature is greater than the length of the greater base part, and the major longitudinal face of the strip-shaped handle material which bounds the opening in the handle is convexly curved.

The grip 2 is substantially tubular and conformingly envelops another rubber sleeve 8 or radial enlargement 8 of cylindrical shape, when in the relaxed condition, which is vulcanized on the rubber cord to separate the sections 4,5. The grip 2 consists of two cup-shaped elements 2a,2b having centrally apertured bottoms or radial end walls 16 dimensioned for passage of the cord sections 4,5, and axial wall portions 17 which flare from the walls 17 toward respective circular rims connected in abutting engagement by pins 2c and nonillustrated cement.

As is also seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the exerciser of the invention provides holds for a user at three points a, b, c, the holds a and b being provided'by the longer base portions of the handles 1,3, and the third hold being formed by the barrel-shaped grip 2. The overall length l of the exerciser in the relaxed condition of the cord 4,5 may be selected according to the height of the user, and may be about 2 feet for a child of less than 10 years, to about 5 feet for a normally tall adult. The location of the grip 2 is such that the distances II,III between the center of the grip and the holds a,b satisfy the relationship I/IIl=lII/Il, and the ratio of II to III is approximately 5:8, all lengths being measured along the relaxed cord 4,5.

The shallow arc of the longer base portion of each handle 1,3 provides a convenient foothold and a firm grip for the hands when the full length of the exerciser is used in the upright position of a user, as shown in FIG. 1 which illustrates two identical exercisers of the invention used simultaneously between respective feet and hands of the user. The longer section III between the grip 2 and the handle 3 is properly dimensioned for exercises in which one outstretched arm and one bent arm hold the apparatus, as shown in FIG. 2, and exercises with two bent arms are best performed on the shorter section II, as not explicitly shown in the drawing.

The exerciser is useful for use in water or underwater because of its materials of construction which are preferably nonmetallic, although the handles 1,3 may be made of metal if provided with an abrasion and shock-resistant plastic coating. The rubber or plastic surfaces of the grip 2 and of the handles 1,3 become somewhat slippery when wet, but a firm hold is possible because of their configuration. The convex arch of the longer base portion of each handle fits the user's palm, and the grip 2 fits into the closed hand with a cord section 4 or 5 passing between two fingers. The angular, circular edge between the radial end wall 16 and the axial wall l7 of the grip 2 is essential for a firm hold on the wet grip 2.

The exposed lengths A,B of the cord sections 4,5 between the grip 2 and the handles 1,3 permit the handles to be twisted freely about the longitudinal axis of the exerciser, and thus, in combination with the aforedescribed features of the apparatus, permit a wide range of movements to be performed against the gentle restraint of the single rubber cord. The apparatus of the invention is not intended for assisting in the development of powerful muscles, but. has been found effective in restoring and improving normal muscle activity, particularly as it affects breathing. v

In assembling the illustrated apparatus, the cup-shaped fastening members 6,7 and the cup-shaped halves 20,21) are loosely slipped in proper sequence over the rubber cord. Three sleeves of heavy rubber tubing are slotted axially and placed over the ends of the cord and an intermediate cord portion and are vulcanized to the cord. The two halves of the grip 2 are then assembled about the intermediate radial enlargement on the cord to envelop the associated sleeve 8. The radial walls 17, which are axially offset from the sleeve in opposite directions, hug the cord sections 4,5 and the fastening members 6,7 are slipped over the enlarged cord ends, and are fastened in position by expanding the resilient loops of the handles 1,3 and relaxing them when aligned with the slots 19 to assume the illustrated position. Since the free ends 11,12 are accessible through the open ends of the fastening members 6,7, the loops of the handles 1,3 may be closed in the assembled condition by clamps or cemented straps, but this is not normally necessary.

What I claim is:

1. An exercising apparatus comprising:

a. a single elongated cord of resilient material, said cord having a longitudinal axis, two longitudinal ends, and an intermediate portion spaced from said ends;

b. two handles, each handle essentially consisting of an elongated member extending in a loop about an opening;

c. fastening means fastening said ends to said handles respectively;

d. a sleeve extending about said intermediate portion and projecting radially from the same, said sleeve being fixedly fastened to said cord; and

e. a gripping element conformingly enveloping said sleeve,

said gripping element having 1. two annular end faces axially offset from said sleeve in opposite directions and hugging said cord, and

2. a barrel-shaped face connecting said end faces and angularly offset from the same.

2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said loops is of approximately trapezoidal shape having a shorter base part and a longer base part, said fastening means fastening said ends to said shorter base parts of said loops respectively.

3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said fastening means include a transverse enlargement on one of said cord ends, a cup-shaped member having an apertured bottom portion and receiving said enlargement therein, said cord passing through the aperture in said bottom portion, said member having an annular rim portion projecting beyond said enlargement and formed with a slot, said shorter base part of the associated handle being secured in said slot.

4. An apparatus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said cord essentially consists of vulcanizable, elastomeric material, and is of uniform cross section, and said enlargement is vulcanized to said cord.

5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the elongated members of each handle essentially consist of flat strip material having two major longitudinal faces, one of said major faces bounding said opening, the longer base part of said loop extending in a longitudinal are having a radius of curvature greater than the length of said longer base part, the portion of said one face on said longer base part being convex.

6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cord and said sleeve essentially consist of vulcanizable elastomeric material, said sleeve being vulcanized to said intermediate portion.

7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the spacing 

1. An exercising apparatus comprising: a. a single elongated cord of resilient material, said cord having a longitudinal axis, two longitudinal ends, and an intermediate portion spaced from said ends; b. two handles, each handle essentially consisting of an elongated member extending in a loop about an opening; c. fastening means fastening said ends to said handles respectively; d. a sleeve extending about said intermediate portion and projecting radially from the same, said sleeve being fixedly fastened to said cord; and e. a gripping element conformingly enveloping said sleeve, said gripping element having
 1. two annular end faces axially offset from said sleeve in opposite directions and hugging said cord, and
 2. a barrel-shaped face connecting said end faces and angularly offset from the same.
 2. a barrel-shaped face connecting said end faces and angularly offset from the same.
 2. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said loops is of approximately trapezoidal shape having a shorter base part and a longer base part, said fastening means fastening said ends to said shorter base parts of said loops respectively.
 3. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein said fastening means include a transverse enlargement on one of said cord ends, a cup-shaped member having an apertured bottom portion and receiving said enlargement therein, said cord passing through the aperture in said bottom portion, said member having an annular rim portion projecting beyond said enlargement and formed with a slot, said shorter base part of the associated handle being secured in said slot.
 4. An appAratus as set forth in claim 3, wherein said cord essentially consists of vulcanizable, elastomeric material, and is of uniform cross section, and said enlargement is vulcanized to said cord.
 5. An apparatus as set forth in claim 2, wherein the elongated members of each handle essentially consist of flat strip material having two major longitudinal faces, one of said major faces bounding said opening, the longer base part of said loop extending in a longitudinal arc having a radius of curvature greater than the length of said longer base part, the portion of said one face on said longer base part being convex.
 6. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said cord and said sleeve essentially consist of vulcanizable elastomeric material, said sleeve being vulcanized to said intermediate portion.
 7. An apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein the spacing of said gripping element from one of said handles is greater than the spacing of said gripping element from the other handle when said spacings are measured along said cord, in the relaxed condition of the same.
 8. An apparatus as set forth in claim 7, wherein the ratio of the shorter one of said spacings to the longer spacing is substantially equal to the ratio of said longer spacing to the combined shorter and longer spacings. 